sacred

Manifestations of the sacred

The sacred appears in myths, sounds, ritual activity, people, and natural objects. Through retelling the myth the divine action that was done “in the beginning” is repeated. The repetition of the sacred action symbolically duplicates the structure and power that established the world originally. Thus, it is important to know and preserve the eternal structure through which man has life, for it is the model and source of power in the present.

The recognition of sacred power in the myth is related to the notion that sound itself has creative power—in particular special, sacred sounds. Sometimes these sounds are words, such as the name of god, divine myth, a prayer, or hymn; but sometimes the most sacred sounds are those that do not have a common meaning, for example, the Hindu om, the Buddhist oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ, or the Jewish and Christian “Hallelujah.”

Closely connected with verbal expressions of sacred power are activities done in worship, in sacraments, sacrifices, and festivals. Part of the importance of religious ritual is that in the realm of the sacred all things have their place. In order for human existence to prosper (or even continue) it ... (200 of 4,714 words)